This Year of the Snake Spring Festival was particularly special, as it marked the first celebration since the festival’s successful inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Amid the warm and festive atmosphere, the teachers and students of Ulan School welcomed the Golden Snake Year together. The school organized a series of rich and meaningful activities.

One of the highlights was the hands-on cultural experience: children made traditional lanterns, wrote auspicious “Fu” characters, painted New Year pictures, and pasted Spring Festival couplets. The entire campus was filled with festive joy and anticipation for the coming year.

The most beloved tradition among the children was the “New Year’s Greetings and Red Envelopes” ceremony! The school prepared symbolic red envelopes, and the students, filled with excitement, greeted their teachers with heartfelt New Year wishes, expressing gratitude for their guidance. In return, the teachers handed out red envelopes, symbolizing good fortune and growth, while encouraging the children to strive for academic progress and a healthy, happy year ahead.

Watching the cheerful children, the teachers reminisced about their own childhood Spring Festivals. Despite having simpler material conditions back then, the festive spirit was just as strong. Families would work together to clean the house thoroughly before New Year’s Eve, ensuring a fresh and welcoming environment for the coming year. Bright red couplets would be carefully pasted on doors, symbolizing the transition from the old to the new.

On New Year’s Eve, the much-anticipated reunion dinner would officially begin with the crackling sound of firecrackers. One of the most exciting moments for children was receiving yasuiqian (New Year’s money). Parents would carefully prepare red envelopes in advance, while children, filled with excitement, would bow or even kneel in the traditional style to express respect to their elders, saying phrases like “Happy New Year” and “Wishing you prosperity.”

Although times have changed and school celebrations continue to evolve, the core spirit of the Spring Festival remains unchanged—family reunion, gratitude, blessings, and cultural heritage. Through the festive celebrations at Ulan School, children not only experienced the charm of Chinese traditions firsthand but also deepened their cultural identity. These treasured memories will inspire them to carry forward and share the beauty of the Spring Festival, fostering cultural connections across the world.